DL Open Thread Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021
You already know this, but the tendency of Republicans and other half-wits to hold super-spreader events appears to be the primary driver in the spread of Covid.
Postmaster General Louis De Joy gave combative testimony yesterday to a House committee investigating the his destruction of the US Postal Service, telling Congress to “get used to” him because he intended to stay there for a long time. Not so fast says President Joe: He’s nominated three postal experts to the board that oversees the agency, enough to give Democrats a majority, but they need Senate confirmation. This one is worth nuking the filibuster for, if only to honor of all those seniors who are waiting by the mailbox for their medicines.
Watchdog groups are warning about sabotage from last-minute Trump appointees who have burrowed into civil service jobs. This is already happening with legally bullshit opinions from Trump judges.
The Inquirer’s Will Bunch previews the coming 2022 Democratic primary for Pat Toomey’s senate seat in Pennsylvania, which so far pits blue-collar Lt. Gov. John Fetterman against black activist and MSNBC darling Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
Everyone knows restaurants have taken a beating during the pandemic, but you might not realize the lack of demand echoes down the food chain. The Delaware State News reports that oystermen are suffering because of the decreased demand, which means I’m going shopping today for oysters.
The floor’s yours.
Can someone, ANYone, explain to me why Biden seems so willing to defer to the Senate Parliamentarian when it comes to the issue of including the $15 minimum wage in the budget reconciliation bill?
The Parliamentarian can, and has, been overruled by the body as a whole. As Sen. Sanders pointed out, there’s no bleeping way that the D’s are gonna get 60 votes to override the filibuster.
It should be a no-brainer. The House bill will include the $15 minimum wage in their bill. What Biden SHOULD be doing is to lobby all the D senators to stick together. The $15 minimum wage is exceedingly popular. There’s no way in hell that he should turn up his nose at this prospective huge accomplishment.
My biggest worry about a Biden Presidency coming true. Too much “Let’s pretend is it 1978 again”
BREAKING: Manhattan DA gets Trump tax returns–and much more:
https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/cnn-manhattan-da-obtains-trump-tax-returns
BREAKING: Parliamentarian, Biden, Kill $15 Minimum Wage Bill:
https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/540630-parliamentarian-nixes-minimum-wage-hike-in-coronavirus-bill
I don’t blame the Parliamentarian, who was merely interpreting arcane budgetary minutiae.
Biden, OTOH…